Method for Displaying Operation States of Modules Included in Computer System

1. A computer implemented method comprising: acquiring operating states, by a computer, of a plurality of modules, wherein said acquiring operating states of said plurality of modules comprises acquiring an operating state by a computer of a first one of said plurality of modules, wherein said acquiring said operating state of said first one of said plurality of modules is based at least in part on a determination that said first one of said plurality of modules is operating; acquiring operating states, by said computer, of a first module set, wherein said acquiring operating states of said first module set is based at least in part on a determination that at least one module of said first module set is being used by said first one of said plurality of modules to carry out a function being performed by said first one of said plurality of modules; wherein said acquiring operating states by said computer of said first module set occurs only when said at least one module is being used by said first one of said plurality of modules to carry out said function being performed by said first one of said plurality of modules; wherein a latest operating state of said at least one module and said at least one module's first module set is acquired without inquiring of the operating state of each individual module that makes up said at least one module's first module set; and displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising computer system operation states comprising said operating state of said first one of said plurality of modules and said operating states of said first module set.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said first module set dynamically changes based on a change in said function being performed by said first one of said plurality of modules.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said acquiring said operating state by said computer of said first module set does not impose an extra load on said function being performed by said first one of said plurality of modules.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein: said plurality of modules comprise dedicated software; and said first module set comprises general purpose software or hardware.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: acquiring operating states by said computer of a third module set comprising at least one module that is not being used in an operation of said computer system; and wherein said computer system operation states further comprise said operating states of said third module set.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: acquiring an operating state by, said computer, of a second one of said plurality of modules, wherein said acquiring said operating state of said second one of said plurality of modules is based at least in part on a determination that said second one of said plurality of modules is operating; acquiring operating states by said computer of a second module set, wherein said acquiring operating states of said second module set is based at least in part on a determination that at least one module of said second module set is being used by said second one of said plurality of modules to carry out a function being performed by said second one of said plurality of modules; wherein said acquiring operating states by said computer of said second module set occurs only when said at least one module is being used by said second one of said plurality of modules to carry out said function being performed by said second one of said plurality of modules; and said computer system operation states further comprising said operating state of said second one of said plurality of modules and said operating states of said second module set.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising: storing in a table said operating state of said first one of said plurality of modules, said second one of said plurality of modules, said first module set and said second module set; and thereby updating said table in response to said acquiring limitations of claim 6 .

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising: determining whether there is overlap between said second module set and said first one of said plurality of modules and said first module set; and wherein said updating further comprises determining whether a corresponding acquired operating state is different than said operating state of said table.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said first one of said plurality of modules is selected by a user.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said first one of said plurality of modules is predetermined.

11. A system for displaying computer system operation states, the system comprising: a computer system having a processor and a storage device, the computer system configured to perform a method comprising: acquiring operating states of a plurality of modules, wherein said acquiring operating states of said plurality of modules comprises acquiring an operating state of a first one of a said plurality of modules, wherein said acquiring said operating state of said first one of said plurality of modules is based at least in part on a determination that said first one of said plurality of modules is operating; acquiring operating states of a first module set, wherein said acquiring operating states of said first module set is based at least in part on a determination that at least one module of said first module set is being used by said first one of said plurality of modules to carry out a function being performed by said first one of said plurality of modules; wherein said acquiring operating states of said first one of said plurality of modules occurs only when said at least one module is being used by said first one of said plurality of modules to carry out said function being performed by said first one of said plurality of modules; wherein a latest operating state of said at least one module and said at least one module's first module set is acquired without inquiring of the operating state of each individual module that makes up said at least one module's first module set; and displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising the computer system operation states comprising said operating state of said first one of said plurality of modules and said operating states of said first module set.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said first module set dynamically changes based on a change in said function being performed by said first one of said plurality of modules.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said acquiring said operating states of said first module set does not impose an extra load on said function being performed by said first one of said plurality of modules.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein: said plurality of modules comprise dedicated software; and said first module set comprises general purpose software or hardware.

15. The system of claim 11 further comprising: acquiring operating states of a third module set comprising at least one module that is not being used in an operation of said computer system; and wherein said computer system operation states further comprise said operating states of said third module.

16. The system of claim 11 further comprising: acquiring an operating state of a second one of said plurality of modules, wherein said acquiring said operating state of said second one of said plurality of modules is based at least in part on a determination that said second one of said plurality of modules is operating; acquiring operating states by said computer of a second module set, wherein said acquiring operating states of said second module set is based at least in part on a determination that at least one module of said second module set is being used by said second one of said plurality of modules to carry out a function being performed by said second one of said plurality of modules; wherein said acquiring operating states of said second module set occurs only when said at least one module is being used by said second one of said plurality of modules to carry out said function being performed by said second one of said plurality of modules; and said computer system operation states further comprising said operating state of said second one of said plurality of modules and said operating states of said second module set.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising: storing in a table said operating state of said first one of said plurality of modules, said second one of said plurality of modules, said first module set and said second module set; and updating said table in response to said acquiring limitations of claim 16 .

18. The system of claim 17 further comprising: determining whether there is overlap between said second module set and said first one of said plurality of modules and said first module set; and wherein said updating said table further comprises determining whether a corresponding acquired operating state is different than said operating state of said table.